Juki HZL-12ZS Review

Juki HZL-12ZS is not quite the best beginners machine you can get for the price. Juki could have come up with couple more user friendly features.

Juki HZL-12ZS Main Features

Automatic needle threader

4-step buttonhole

Lightweight

Juki HZL-12ZS Review

Sewing Machine Reviews Recommendation Level : LOW

A simple sewing machine designed for beginners, that is my first impression about this cute little sewing machine from Juki. The tricky thing about Juki HZL-12ZS is that it is not a very popular one in US. The machine only recently made its way to most stores. It will take some time for it to climb the ladder. People are skeptical about the quality of this machine, so I decided to do a review on it. Juki HZL-12ZS comes with a 4-step buttonhole. It is a mechanical sewing machine, so don’t expect a lot of features from it.

There is an automatic needle threader for threading assistance. A dial is provided for stitch selection. Stitch width and length can be adjusted. A separate dial is provided for stitch length adjustment. Stitch width and length can be adjusted up to 4mm for select stitches. An LED bulb illuminates the work space. An accessory storage compartment is built-in, which can be removed to convert the machine for free arm sewing. The best thing I liked about Juki HZL-12ZS is its oversized reverse stitch lever. It is so large that, it will be very easy for older people to engage the lever. Juki HZL-12ZS comes with a side loading bobbin. The machine is very compact and lightweight. It weighs just 9.7 pounds.

Usability

Juki HZL-12ZS is not the most beginner friendly sewing machine you can get for the price. It misses out on some absolutely necessary features like the drop-in bobbin and 1-step buttonhole. The drop-in bobbin will be far more easier to manage for beginners, than a side loading one for which you need to remove the storage compartment every time you need to change the bobbin. A buttonhole that finishes in a single step is always better than one that requires 3 additional steps (it is common sense and I don’t know why Juki turned their face against it). Stitch quality wise, the machine is pretty decent (not excellent). But I am not sure about the features on offer (it way less for my liking).

Is It Worth Buying ?

The cost cutting is pretty evident. For the price, the features on offer is not really appealing to me. You can get machines with far better features for lesser price. Juki HZL-12ZS feels a bit old fashioned to me. I would not consider it unless the price drops significantly. Until then I would consider Brother XL2600I as the best alternative. It is less expensive and has far better features than this one. Brother XL2600I comes with 25 built-in stitches, automatic needle threader, drop-in bobbin and 1-step buttonhole. It is the best sewing machine you can get for under $100. Or you can also consider Brother XM2701 which is the updated version of Brother XL2600I.